KWS rangers kill elephant after injuring 50-year-old man
Residents of Mukothima location and school children view the carcass of a stray elephant that was killed by KWS rangers after it injured a 50-year-old man on August 10, 2016. PHOTO | ALEX NJERU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The father of seven was rescued by neighbours who rushed him to Mukothima Mission Hospital and was later referred to Kiirua Mission Hospital in Meru County.
- Rangers who had been alerted of the jumbos arrived and killed the animal and drove others back into the park.
Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers shot dead a stray elephant that had injured a man in Mukothima location, Tharaka-Nithi County.
The elephant was part of a herd that had strayed from Meru National Park and invaded farms.
Mr Mbabu Kairaria,50, was herding his cows in his farm at around 3pm when one of the elephants attacked him.
The father of seven was rescued by neighbours who rushed him to Mukothima Mission Hospital and was later referred to Kiirua Mission Hospital in Meru County.
Rangers who had been alerted of the jumbos arrived and killed the animal and drove others back into the park.
The rangers had a difficult time controlling a huge crowd that had arrived with weapons ready to feast on the elephant meat.
Locals now want KWS to restrain the animals in the park.
Ms Mary Mwiti, a resident, asked the KWS to compensate the injured man as well as those whose crops have been destroyed.
“We will not let the elephants kill and destroy our crops. We are urging KWS to move with speed before we take action ourselves,” Ms Mwiti cautioned.
